Guy Friday- Pizza Face and The Wildes: Captivity

Ogle, Rex and Valeza, Dave (illus.) Pizza Face

July 2, 2024 by Graphix

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

In this sequel to Four Eyes, Ogle continues his semi-autobiographical story of his troubled middle school experience. He overhears Kennedy, whom he has spent a lot of time, laugh with her friends about his squeaky voice, and stops talking to her. Things go from bad to worse when he wakes up on the first day of school with an enormous zit in the middle of his forehead. Luckily, he's still friends with Scott, and the two share a love of comic books. For a while, Courtney, Emma, and Kennedy sit with the boys at lunch, but as his relationship with Kennedy deteriorates, and he doesn't stand up to bullies who make fun of the girls, they move to another table. Chase, whom Rex has know in the past, returns to school a little "cooler"; he smokes, and looks a little like Kurt Cobain, with his shaggy hair and skater clothing. (This is set in the 1990s.) Chase is not nice to Scott, who stops speaking to Rex. Chase is a bad influence in many ways. He's unkind to Rex, smokes, picks fights with others, and treats his girlfriend badly. Rex's problems with acne continue, and because his family is struggling to make ends meet, Rex's mother refuses to buy him special soap or acne medication. His abuela, who often visits, does make sure that he has supplies, including deodorant, which his mother also won't buy. Eventually, he comes clean to Kennedy about why he stopped talking to her and the two reconcile. His abuela takes him to a dermatologist, and having a plan of attack for his problems helps.
Strengths: It is a rare middle school student who is untouched by acne, so most readers will be sympathetic to Rex's blight and glad to know some tips for skin care. Friend drama also looks large, so the various difficulties Rex faces with his friends are realistic. There are also some bullies in school, and Rex is a perfect target, although he does make peace with one, who in turn picks him first in gym class for a change. It was interesting to see the financial struggles of the family and how they impacted Rex, and the mother and stepfather is kinder in the graphic novels than they are in Free Lunch. Abuela is the star, giving Rex lots of support in many different ways.
Weaknesses: I'm not sure that acne makes children the target of bullying as much any more, in the same way that braces and glasses are fairly standard and unworthy of comment. It's a huge trend in my school for students to wear brightly colored, adhesive star patches over zits. Granted, these are expensive, and children with cystic acne or more blemishes would not benefit from these, but I've just not seen this type of behavior at my school. I'm sure students still feel awful when they have acne. This book includes helpful representation in that respect, so I'll probably buy a copy.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who like Scrivan's Nat Enough or Libenson's Invisible Emmie series, both of which deal with middle school anxiety and self esteem.

Smith, Roland. Captivity (The Wildes #3)
July 1, 2024 by Sleeping Bear Press
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

After their adventures in The Amazon and The Vaquita, the Wildes have returned home to their wildlife refuge in Texas, The Wilds. Ring is up to his old tricks, running off without his cell phone, and Asia steps in to give status update to the media when her parents are busy. There is a lot of interest in the vaquitas (porpoises) that the family rescued, and not everyone agrees that captivity is the best place for them. In addition to George Sweeney, of The Animal Protection Army, there are a number of animal rights activists and reporters hanging out. Not only that, but Dave Lamella is sighted in Texas. Professor Bob wants the kids to return to their studies, but they are busy solving several mysteries and keeping everything running while their mother Jane returns to help the tamarind monkeys and their father flies off to rescue another vaquita. When snow leopards are let loose on the compound and there are a number of security concerns, will the kids, with the help of longtime sanctuary worker Hawk Hickman, be able to keep everyone safe?

This didn't have the travel adventure of the previous two volumes, and felt a little more like early Gibbs' Fun Jungle books. Still lots of mystery, and plenty of Kids Doing Things. I liked the environmental messages, and can see Asia being either a public relations representative or lawyer for animal rights groups when she grows up. It does look like there could be more adventures for the Wildes, but I would love to see the parents more involved. 

Keep it Like a Secret

Anderson, John David. Keep it Like a Secret
May 14, 2024 by Walden Pond Press

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Morgan, who is twelve, has watched his sister Claire (18), fight with his parents again and again. In the last battle, Claire smashed several of his mother's antique dolls, including one given to her by her father, who has since passed away. Claire storms out of the house, and doesn't come back for several days. Morgan is worried, but the mother seems somewhat relieved. Claire is safe, staying at the home of her girlfriend, Sasha. Morgan understands that Claire is dealing with a lot of change. She's dropped off the cross country team, broken up with long time boyfriend Connor, and is watching all of her friends make plans to go away to college, while she doesn't have any of her own plans. Morgan misses his sister, and all of the time that they spent together. When Claire has Morgan sneak a box out of her room and asks him to run off with her on a little adventure, Morgan is suprised. He's glad to spend time with his sister, and their adventure is similar to one they took years ago, when Morgan was much younger, and Claire set off with him in the early morning hours without their parents knowing. Driving around in Claire's beat up car, Sonic, the two do some mundane tasks, like buying new shoes at Kohls, but also see a local waterfall, learn to drive the car (with less than optimal results), visit the diner where Claire works, and climb to the top of a water tower. They are in limited contact with their mother by phone, so Morgan isn't concerned that his mother is worried, but during the course of their adventure, he realizes that this is Claire's way of saying goodbye to him.
Strengths: Middle school children spend a lot of time with siblings, and we tend to forget, as adults, how important this time is. Having a much older sibling is something I haven't experienced, but I know that it's easy for children to idolize teens, especially if the older sibling is nice and spends time with them. It's also traumatic when the older sibling leaves home. Claire's actions; fighting with the mother, quitting cross country, starting a different romantic relationship; are all typical of the types of things high schoolers do during their liminal senior year. The fighting can be a way of making the transition away from the home easier. It's sweet that she wants to spend a day with Morgan, and she shares a lot of herself and her activities with her younger brother. This had a little bit of the feel of Ms. Bixby's Last Day to it because of the looming end of their time together, but without the violence to cheesecake. (Although there is a really good chocolate dessert.)
Weaknesses: Some people are toxic and best not to have in one's life, and I think Claire would fit into that category, at least from the perspective of the mother. I had no sympathy for her. Her mother was reasonable, and even supportive, and yet Claire was just evil towards her. Perhaps if there were more information about WHY Claire was so combative, it would have changed my feelings.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who enjoyed more introspective books about family relationships like Schmidt's The Labors of Hercules Beal, Sherwood's The Ice House, or Creech's Saving Winslow.

I'm From Here, Too

Sheth, Kashmira. I'm From Here, Too
July 2, 2024 by Peachtree

E ARC Provided by Edelweiss Plus

Anoop and his family live in Wisconsin, where his father is a heart surgeon and his mother runs a clothing import business. Most of their family still lives in India, including the father's father, Baba. There is a lot of history in the family background; the grandfather was just 13 in 1947 when his family was killed during the Partition. He survived because he was in a tree house at the time. Because there are few people of color in their town, and because his family is Sikh, Anoop has to deal with his classmates not understanding the patka (head covering) he wears over his hair, which he has never cut. Two students in particular, Albert and Ned, are constantly saying things and even pushing Anoop and touching his head. Their teacher, the young Ms. Strickton, takes a dim view of this behavior and doesn't let them get away with bullying when they are in her class. Anoop best friend, Jacob, is supportive of Anoop and understands his family and religion, but he doesn't always stand up for his friend, adding to Anoop's stress. When Baba has pneumonia, Anoop and his father go to visit, and Anoop has a school project about his experience to turn in when he returns. Being in India is a good break from the racial discrimination in Wisconsin, but some members of his family tell Anoop that he is "too American". His cousin Jeet puts a stop to that, and shows Anoop the great things about the country that Anoop's family left. Upon his return, Albert and Ned physically assault him and threaten to cut his hair. He finally tells his parents about the bullying, but asks for a little time because the school is involved. He befriends a new boy, Chris Larson, whom Albert and Ned are not nice to, and after Baba passes away, changes his project to fully cover the history of his family. Ned, at least, gains a new understanding for Anoop, and things are slightly better. 

Strengths: This is a novel in verse, which is a good fit since Anoop likes to write poetry and has an introspective nature. I enjoyed the fact that Jacob was well versed in the food and traditions of his friend's culture. Indian writers are the absolute best when it comes to describing food, and Sheth does a particularly good job! 

Weaknesses: The novel in verse format always leaves me wanting more information about a lot of things. I loved Sheth's Blue Jasmine (2004) and Boys Without Names (2010), and know that she does an equally good prose novel. 
What I really think: Combining history with a family experience is always a winning combination. This is an excellent choice for readers who enjoyed Chen's With Twice the Love, Dessie Mae, Hudson's The Reckoning, Respicio's Any Day With You, and especially Bajaj's Count Me In, Faruqi, Saadia. The Partition Project, and Senzai, N.H. Ticket to India.

Majestica and Woe: A Housecat's Story of Despair

Tolcser, Sarah. Majestica

July 2, 2024 by G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Hattie Swift has been raised at the Hotel Majestica by the staff, after her mother died when she was small and her father was killed protecting the owner, Clive Ridgewell, from a dragon attack. She hopes to one day be an actual maid and get to wear the traditional black and white uniform, so helps out around the premises and learns about the magical animals that find safety there from the various groundskeepers and trainers. When Evelyn, the demanding niece of Ridgewell shows up and is going to go on the wilderness tour, Hattie is dragged along as her maid after she sees Evelyn poison her companion just enough to make her too ill to go on the trip! Hattie is somewhat interested in seeing more of Ruava, and also glad to get a uniform, even if it is too big, but Evelyn is NOT happy and lets everyone know. Also on the tour is MR. Foxfire, a reporter who was trying to get information from Hattie about the Caretaker of the Hotel Majestica. The hotel had had some problems in the past, but the Caretaker has kept up the grounds and made sure that the animals are not a danger. No one knows quite what the Caretaker is, where it is located, or how it controls the facilities. There's also Jacob Threadborne, apprentice to the Secretary of the Interior, Wing, and Miss Richardson, a professor. Evelyn overhears two men talking about poaching animals and selling them, which is highly illegal, but no one believes her, especially when she publically rifles through their luggage and does not turn up the weapons she says they have. She and Hattie do manage to identify the men, although Hattie doesn't think that Dowson, the Majestica groundskeeper, would be part of such a plot. This is not the worst part of the trip; when the train stalls over a gorge, everyone is endangered, and Hattie and Evelyn barely survive when it plunges into the river below. Evelyn's uncle is killed, but some travelers survive, including Secretary Wing, who insists that Hattie make her way back to the hotel to get help. Most people want to wait for help to come to them, and the poachers have taken the opportunity to go forward with their evil plans. They have even captured a rare unicorn and want to remove its horn, which can only be done by the light of a full moon. Agatha, a dragon who has been seen in the area, seems to be protecting Hattie, Evelyn, and Jacob, who have banded together. Hattie is worried about this at first, since it was Alfred, Agatha's mate, who was responsible for her father's death and was killed as a result. They manage to find out more information about the Caretaker, and think it might be a magical stone that has ties to the incarceration of Evelyn's mother. Eventually, Agatha offers to transport the children back to the hotel. Things are dangerous there are well. Will the trio be able to find the source of the Caretaker and make the Hotel Majestica a continued source of refuge for magical animals?

Strengths: For ardent fantasy fans, this not only includes a map, but drawings of the magical creatures and a list of the cast of characters. This had an Edwardian era feel to it, with trains and radio, but also ladies' maids, muckraking journalists, and sumptous travel into the wilderness. The cover supports that. There is good world building for the hotel, and it seems reasonable that Hattie would have not only been raised there by the staff, but that she had an emotional attachment to the place that informs her actions in regards to saving it. Evelyn is a very entitled character at first, but does experience some emotional growth as the journey turns perilous. The mystery of the Caretaker is not only well developed, but has a surprising resolution. 
Weaknesses: Hattie's father's name was Tom Swift, which fits with the era, but is obviously unrelated to the long running book series. Young readers will not know this. 
What I really think: This is a great choice for readers who enjoyed books like Gale's The Zoo at the Edge of the World, Beatty's Serafina and the Black Cloak, or George's The Rose Legacy. This would be a big hit with Harry Potter fans who like the Hogwarts Express, or readers who enjoyed the magical creatures in Sutherland's The Menagerie. 

Knisley, Lucy. Woe: A Housecat's Story of Despair
July 2, 2024 by Random House Graphic
E ARC provided by Netgalley 

Linney was Knisley's cat for over ten years, and was amusing and frustrating in turn, as many pets are. Knisley posted cartoons detailing Linney's foibles on Instagram as a way of remembering her, knowing that as her pet aged, there would eventually come a time when she would have to say goodbye. We see Linney be picky about food, shed strategically, monopolize spaces, demand to be petted but then require being left alone, have visits from a dog, and interact with Knisley's small child. Eventually, we see Linney loose weight, have to go on special kidney food (this is never a good sign), and eventually pass away.

This isn't quite a graphic novel; it's got a squarer format (like a social media post) and less dialog, but tells a story just the same. It is beautifully done, like all of Knisley's work, but is also very sad, since Linney's last moments are with the vet. Having just lost my dog, this was definitely heart wrenching.

Middle school and high school libraries with lots of cat fans or fans of Knisley's work will definitely want to purchase this, and I see a lot of copies being sold as as consolation gifts when a beloved pet passes away. I just wish that Knisley was a dog person, but I guess dog people have Matt Nelson's Thoughts of Dog, which has some similarities, although Woe is mainly from Knisley's perspective.

MMGM- The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman

It's

Marvelous Middle Grade Monday
 at 

Always in the Middle 

and #IMWAYR day 

at

Unleashing Readers

Choldenko, Gennifer. The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman

June 11, 2024 by Knopf Books for Young Readers

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

**Spoilers, which are somewhat necessary to understand the whole story.**

Hank is used to taking care of his three year old sister, Bridget (Boo) when their mother Geri is out working or socializing, but when she doesn't come home for a week, things get desperate. He's missing school, and they are out of food. When the landlord pounds on the door and says that eviction proceedings will begin tomorrow, Hank decides to head to visit the only emergency contact he can find; Lou Ann, who was a friend of his grandmother's. His grandmother passed away recently, which has taken away needed support. Finding a bus pass of his mother's, he packs a few things and heads to Rancho Renato. Lou Ann is suprised to see them, but since she runs a day care from her home, agrees to help them. Celia, who works with Lou Ann several days a week, was friends with Hank's mother. Social services is contacted, and everyone works to find Geri. Celia's brother, Ray, is a computer programmer who works from home, and since Lou Ann is not thrilled with having a teenager like Hank around (he's in 7th grade, but tall for his age), Hank starts to spend a lot of time with Ray and his dog, CPU. When Geri can't be found, Lou Ann arranges for Hank to start in the local middle school. Since Lou Ann doesn't seem to like him, Hank goes out of his way to do whatever he can to make her happy, especially since Boo is thriving under her care, learning numbers and letters and becoming potty trained. School actually goes well, and the kids are nice to Hank. Ana in particular takes a liking to him, and invites him to her birthday party. Hank starts playing basketball with Ray, and the coach at school notices his progress, inviting him to try out for the team. Hank is uncertain what the future will bring, so is hesitant to make committments. When he finally finds where his mother is, things are even more uncertain. His mother, who has had a problem with alcohol in the past, was arrested on drunk driving charges, and has to go through rehab before being released. When his mother shows up at school on the day of basketball tryouts, he leaves with her, even though he is apprehensive. He even tells Lou Ann he is taking Boo "for a walk", and is soon driving to Arizona with his mother. When she stops at a gas station and gets drunk, Hank knows that he can't let Boo in the car with her. He calls Lou Ann, but because of her past problems with a teenage son, she forces Hank to go into the foster care system. Hank knows he has made mistakes, but misses the strong and supportive community he had at Lou Ann's. Will he be able to regain it? 

Strengths: There is something both compelling and soothing about stepping into the shoes of children who have not been given proper care, and watching as they find a new and supportive community. Hank is such a good kid, and he takes excellent care of Boo. He's resourceful, but knows when he needs help. He love for his mother and grandmother is clear, but his desire to have Boo taken care of is what drives his choices. Lou Ann's feelings that she should take the children in out of her loyalty to their grandmother, but also he dislike of teen agers, are realistic competing emotions that ring true. Ray is a great character who has his own reasons for including Hank and Boo in his life. The best part of this, which Choldenko mentions in the end notes, is that the kids at school are accepting of Hank, even when he can't tell them everything about his life. They are kind, understanding, and help out when they can. Even Tadeo, Ray's nephew who is jealous of Hank for several reasons, is nice to him. When Geri returns, Hank has a major dilemma, and he handles it in a way that I think most 7th graders would handle it. It's his MOM. Of course, he goes with her, but when she puts Boo in danger, he must rely on his new, supportive network. While the most compelling thing in Hank's life is finding his mother and pinning down a living situation, he is also a typical tween, and it was great to see him try out for the basketball team, have an interest in drawing, and go to birthday parties. Even kids in crisis are still kids. 

Weaknesses: The only weaknesses I can find in this are that Hank is almost too well behaved, and the resolution works out too well. I had rated this as four stars, but considering how much the world needs hopeful stories and examples of good in a world that is often very terrible, I'm moving this to five, because too much optimism should be rewarded in children' literature. The current trend to show tweens how terrible life can be cannot be helping with the rise of anxiety in children. 

What I really think: This is probably my favorite of Choldenko's books so far. It's a great choice for readers who like hopeful, sometimes funny realistic fiction, and goes well with other modern books about children in foster care, including Galante's Strays Like Us, Winston's Shark Teeth, Moranville's Forget-Me-Not Blue, O'Shaughnessy's Lasagna Means I Love You, Bailey's Snow Foal, and Farr's Pavi Sharma's Guide to Going Home.

Barnes, Derrick and Tuya, Jez (illus.)

Who Got Game? Basketball: Amazing but True Stories!
January 2, 2024 by Workman Publishing Company
Public Library Copy

Wow. This had SO MUCH basketball information, and gets bonus points for including a lot of players from marginalized populations. It's formatted in a way that readers who like the Guinness Book of World Records or Ripley's Believe It or Not books will love, with lots of colorful illustrations, bold fonts, and fun lists. I'm definitely buying a copy, in a Perma-Bound edition, and it will be constantly checked out. I'm also buying the baseball book, but what we really need is a similar one about football, since that is the second most popular sport for which my students ask. 

For me, the formatting was a bit busy, and the lack of chronological organization made it very hard for me to absorb the information. Remember: I am not the target audience. I would rather have fewer illustrations, smaller text, photographs, and an index, since that would make the book perfect for research projects. 

Maybe someone will write that book, with more information about Earl Lloyd, Chuck Cooper, and Spencer Haywood, but for now, I'll have to make do with this engaging nonfiction book that will never be back on the shelf! 

(Overdue) Year End Blather:

Just finished Year 26 of teaching, and spent two weeks in cat sitting for Picky Reader. Since I didn't have to do household chores or talk to anyone, and devolved into a toast based diet, I was able to read and review about twelve hours a day. Also, watched BritBox more than I should have, because my daughter got a trial subscription for me. Was this healthy? Probably not. Restful? Sort of. Productive? VERY!

I spent three days taking 6 credit hours of college classes, as well as the Ohio State mandated Science of Reading course. I still need to submit my 28 pages of essays, but I got a 95% on the reading test! I did NOT want to do any of that work, so to make it interesting and challenging, I gave myself a limited time. Seemed to work. 

I've been very grumpy, although reading several good books recently helped. I'm fed up with the disconnect between what is being published and what my students want to read. Fed up with Instafamous people who have read a fraction of what I have. Indulged in some prattling to myself about how fantastic I am, and how no one appreciates it. This happens when I read books and don't have anyone to whom to recommend them. 

So, July. Going to scale back on the reading a bit, and do some quilting. The temperatures will be 90 and humid the whole month, and I don't have air conditioning, so ironing will occur in the morning. I'll go back to my kale based diet, and take Leo on lots of walks around the neighborhood. Spend some time getting over myself, and gearing up for going back to school in early August. 

Hope everyone is having a pleasant summer, and if you're reading this, I think you are FABULOUS.